200 years ago...
The year was 1812. James Madison was still President of the United States. The Civil War was forty plus years away. This was the frontier, with fewer than 1000 settlers west of Ridgecrest. Folks settled in places called Swannanoa, Reems Creek and Hominy Valley. Twelve souls decided to form a Baptist church in a log house on the banks of Hominy Creek and call Humphrey Posey to be pastor. Our congregation was born.
Highlights
1854 Second church building
1916 J.C. Bennett pastor until 1919, and again 1923-1931
1923 Church burned, new sanctuary (Bennett Building) constructed
1945 M.D. Smith becomes pastor
1949 Current sanctuary constructed
1956 Education building built
1973 Fred Werhan becomes pastor
1970s Founding member of ABCCM, Hominy Child Care,
Meals on Wheels, and First Counseling Center
1980 Smith Building built
1981 Polly Bryson ordained as first female deacon
1988 Mary Caldwell ordained to ministry
1997 Joe Yelton becomes pastor
1998 Left Southern Baptist Convention,
partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
2001 ABCCM West Center opened
2002 Ministries Center completed
2004 First Mission Trip to Nada, Kentucky
2004 DayStay Adult Day Care established
2011 Library renovated
2012 200th Birthday!
Happy Birthday Hominy eliminated building debt
Gift of Ferguson Center announced
2014 Ferguson Family Life Center dedicated
2018 New Sanctuary Welcome Center dedicated
2022 Pastor Joe Yelton retires after serving 25 years